Not everyone reacts to vaccines in the same way. Immune responses vary in strength depending on age, sex, prior illnesses and genetics.
In a new study, published in the Cell Press Blue journal, researchers at the United States National Cancer Institute’s SeroNet program investigated how pre-existing antibodies to common microbes can predict a person’s response to new vaccines.
“Certain biomarkers, when analyzed with AI, can predict who is likely to respond well to a vaccine, even before they receive it,” said Joshua LaBaer, who led the study, which suggests that some people may be more immune-ready than others.
Immunosuppression — having a weak immune system — is associated with a weaker antibody response to vaccination, which increases the risk of infection, disease severity and mortality.
The researchers found that, before receiving a vaccine, the body’s immune system already hints at how it will react and how robust the response will be.
